At Any Age, It Does Matter:
Substance Abuse and Older Adults (for Professionals)

Module 1: Overview - Page 8 of 9

Myths and Facts about Older Adults: Professional

1.   A glass of wine taken regularly before going to bed will help an older person sleep better.
 
  True False
 
2.   The same amount of alcohol usually has a greater effect on older people than on younger adults.
 
  True False
 
3.   If an older person says that drinking is his or her last remaining pleasure, it is generally best to allow the person to continue to drink - even if the alcohol has become problematic - as long as others are not being put at risk.
 
  True False
 
4.   If an older person is depressed, alcohol is helpful in lifting the person's mood.
 
  True False
 
5.   A person must want to stop drinking or must "hit bottom" before you can help him or her with a drinking problem.
 
  True False
 
6.   An alcohol problem in later life increases the risk for suicide.
 
  True False
 
7.   Older adults have one of the lowest success rates in treatment programs.
 
  True False
 
8.   Treatment is just stopping drinking.
 
  True False
 
9.   Signs of alcoholism in older adults are often mistaken for signs of aging or chronic illness.
 
  True False
 
10.   Older people are more likely than younger adults to admit to having an alcohol problem.
 
  True False
 
11.   Over-the-counter medications and alcohol can be taken safely together.
 
  True False
 
12.   Alcohol in over-the-counter medications is needed as a preservative and is only used in small amounts.
 
  True False
 
13.   When a person has been taking a prescribed medication for years, there is no reason for it to be changed when the person is older.
 
  True False
 
14.   Alcoholism is a sign of moral weakness.
 
  True False
 
15.   Only people who drink large quantities of alcohol on a frequent basis have an alcohol problem.
 
  True False
 
16.   Most older alcoholics are medically debilitated and require extensive health care and social services.
 
  True False
 
17.   Alcohol is the substance most abused by older people.
 
  True False
 
18.   Some older minority members, such as Asian/Pacific Islanders, are easier to treat because their culture encourages cooperation.
 
  True False
 
19.   Some groups, such as Jews, have no alcohol or drug problems.
 
  True False
 
20.   Nursing home residents do not have alcohol problems.
 
  True False